Improvement in pocket-knives



CHARLES H. PALMER, OF` lNEWARK, N JERSEY.

l Letters Patent No. 64,248, dated April 30, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN POCKET-KNIVES.

dlgs tlgrhlrIe-rrfemh tu in tigen ietbzts tant imi mating part nf tlg same.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CON CERN:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. PALMER, of Newark, in the county of Essex, in the State of New Jersey,

-have invented certain new and useful improvements in Pocket-Knives and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof. The accompanyingidrawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section through the entire knife in its open condition.

Figure 2 isa side view of the knife in its shut condition. i

Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line S S in tig. 2.

Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are cross-sections through portions of the 'handle in several di'erent stages of the manufacture.

Figure 11 is a side view; and

Figure 12 is a front view of the back, represented as detached from the other parts.

Figure 13 is a side view, and

Figure 14 a face view of the spring represented as detached from the other parts.'

Figure 15 is aside view of one of the metal pieces', which are fitted on each side of the back-piece, and which enclose the sidepieces proper, or scales, and confine them by their edges.

[In this specification the sheet-metalrparts in each side of the handle are ldesignated cheeks, andthe coverings of wood, bone, ivory, &c., are designated scales] l Figure 16 is a view of a back formed with rectangular spurs hollowed on the ends to facilitate riveting; and

Figure 17 is a cross-section of the same.

Figure 18 is a face view of a spring'in the split form, which I use when two blades are inserted side by side. i

`Similar letters of reference indicate like parts inlall the figures.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, Iwill proceed to describe its construction and operation by the aid of the drawings and of the letters of reference marked thereon.

A is the blade, made in the usual form, except that the shoulder A1, at the back between the blade proper and the squared part A2, which carries the rivet, is little deeper than usual. B is the back; it has projecting vspurs b, which are a part of the same piece of metal with itself, and may be produced by forging and dressing the metal in any approved manner. C C are cheeks of sheet metal, bent at the edges as indicated by c, and adapted to enclose' and conine'each a scale, D, whichvlatter consequently requires no rivets or other fastening to eifectually and permanently confine it. The edges of the scales D-are recessed, as indicated at toa depth corresponding with the thickness of the turned-up edge of C, so that when the latter is pressed into its position by a suitable die, it lies flush with and forms a part of the general vsmooth exterior gf the handle. E is the spring made with spurs, e, and mounted just within the back B, as indicated. The front or acting end ofthe spring E applies itself against the back ofl the squared part 'A2 of the blade A, as indicated in fig. 1, and performs the usual functions of a spring. When the knife is partially shut by the turning of the blade A on the rivet a, the spring E is pressed backward, so that nearly its whole length shall apply very closely against the back B. In performing ,the movements forward and backward in fulfilling its function as a spring, its extreme end travels veryrclosely, but not in absolute contact with the bent end B- of the back B, which, by forming a shoulder at this point, forms a convenient pocket or recess in whichl the spring E is safely' housed, and also aifords a broad and very firm bearing for the shoulder A1 onA the blnde.` Holes are punched or otherwise produced in the metal C to receive the spurs b and e, as also to receive the rivet c. These.

holes may be conical, the larger end beingoutward. In applying the parts together, I first place the blade A7 backB Bl b, spring E e, cheeks C c C c, and rivet a properly together, and compress the parts between suitable dies, so as to upset or rivet the parts a b e. Before applying the pressure I fill the vacant space in the interior-of the handle, by introducing a suitable plate of metal not represented, to receive anypressurev v which may be thrown on the cheeks C at points other than those where the several spurs b e and the rivet a are presented. vI afterwards place the tivo scales D D in their proper positions within the turned-up edges or rims of their respective cheeks, and place the knife again between dies supporting the interior, as before. These dies are Aadapted to fit closely around the entire edge of each cheek, and they bend the edge inward into tight contact withthe scale, and completely fill the recess d provided to receive them. I prefer to leave the scale D rough on the exterior, till after the knife is entirely put together, and subsequently to linish it by rounding the exterior tothe proper form by a suitable lathe or other convenient means. Fig. 4 represents a Scale, D, ready to be applied. Fig. 5 represents it in its proper relation to its cheek C previous to the appliea tion of the die. Fig. 6 represents these parts at the next succeeding stage, when the die lhas acted and pressed them together. Fig. 7 represents the cheek C when rstcut from the sheet brass, German silver, or other suitable material. Figa-.8 represents it the same with the edges partly bent. Fig. 9 shows the same with the edges bent square, in which condition the cheek 'is ready to be applied to th'e back and the other parts as before described. Fig. I0 represents the completed side. All these figures, 4 to l0 inclusive, are cross-sections of the several parts, and are intended to sho-w the several stages of the formation of these parts alone, and irrespective of their relation to the other parts of the knife.

- Amongthe advantages due to my construction may be enumerated the great Vfacility for the production of the parts Very rapidly by machinery, and the very slight amount of skilled labor required in putting the parts together. The method by which the covering scales D are confined is also much m`ore reliable and durable than the ordinary mode of fix/ing by rivets. I can make the spurs e of a rectangular section instead ofl circular sections, if preferred, and can hollow their. ends to cause them to spread 0r rivet easily,v and in either case can dress and finish them readily by well-known machinery. I can introduce two'or more blades in myknife, employing any of the ordinary arrangements for the purpose.

` Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secnre by Letter Patent, is

asl follows: y

1.- I claim the spurs b formed on the back B, and combined and arranged with the cheeks C and scales D,

.substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein specified.

2. I claim the employment in pocket-knives of the spring E e, mounted separately from the back, and pressed backwards against the same by the opening-and`shutting of the blade, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein specified.

3. I claim the housing or vfitting of the spring E e within the shoulder or recess formed by the part B1 on the outer or. forward extremity of the back B, the several parts being combined and arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified. Y

' CHARLES H. PALMER.

Witnesses:

K. W. Samson, D'. W. STETsoN. 

